Does Marvel Want Saoirse Ronan For Avengers 2?

Here’s how you know Marvel has tapped into a major vein of fanatical film interest: The Avengers 2 doesn’t begin filming for six more months (and it doesn’t screen until 2015!) but we’re passionately poring over every little detail mapping out the sequel’s direction and possible surprises.

Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, two new characters joining the ranks of Joss Whedon’s next superhero film, have been revealed. Now SuperHeroHype has extended details about an ongoing casting search for actors to fill the roles, and descriptions of the types of talents they’d like to lure to the sure-to-be-massive effort.

Here are the major elements you need to know about how siblings Pietro and Wanda will be portrayed in The Avengers 2, as Whedon has penned it at the moment. First, they won’t be mutants. Secondly, there won’t be any mention of their father from the comics … who, if you weren’t aware, is Magneto. And they will be younger than expected.

The site says that the production is looking for actors in their 20s, preferably of British descent. When it comes to Pietro, they especially are hoping to find an actor who can convey “euro” and “edgy.” And the actress they’ve suggested as the prototype for Scarlet Witch? The Host star Saoirse Ronan.

The site doesn’t say that Ronan is the leading contender for the role, just that she’s the type of actress Marvel appears to be looking for at the moment. Again, this is very different from the portrayals of the characters in the comics (look at the image at the top of the page), but it fits into the youth movement Marvel wants with its heroes. (Meaning “See you later, 48-year-old Robert Downey Jr. and hello 29-year-old Chris Hemsworth!”)

Tell us, Marvel fans, what do you think of these changes? Personally, I’m OK with changing the characters’ backstories to make them British over Eastern European, and dropping their mutant heritage. But are these dealbreakers for you guys? Let us know!